Most ecommerce platforms will provide the basics to get you started. This includes customizable site templates, an integrated shopping cart, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, inventory management and analytics. All you need to do is create an account and use store management tools to customize your ecommerce presence.

To find the best fit for your business, you need to look at what is most important to you and research the vendors offering complete ecommerce packages. For example, do plan to invest heavily in email marketing, or is mobile commerce a must-have option? Once you have a list of the features you need, look for an ecommerce software vendor that has a proven track record and can deliver the tools and services to meet your business goals.

Here are five options if you plan to invest in hosted ecommerce software to grow your small business or start a new online venture.